Jupp Heynckes delighted with Bayern Munich fightback against Monchengladbach

Posted Sunday, April 15, 2018 by PA

Outgoing Bayern Munich coach Jupp Heynckes praised the team spirit of his side as they came from behind to thrash Borussia Monchengladbach.

Already crowned champions, Bayern fell behind to an early Josip Drmic opener only to turn things around with ease and wrap up a convincing 5-1 victory.

Sandro Wagner led the line at the Allianz Arena for the much-changed hosts and scored a four-minute brace to turn things around.

Thiago, David Alaba and Robert Lewandowski added the gloss in the second-half to send Bayern 23 points clear at the summit.

Having reached the Champions League semi-finals and with the title in the bag, Heynckes opted to start with Lewandoski, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben and James Rodriguez all on the bench, the visitors took full advantage and started the brighter of the sides.

“We shuffled seven positions today, and we needed another 20 minutes to get started,” Heynckes told reporters after the game.

“Then we took over and played some excellent football. The team spirit is overwhelming, it’s just wonderful to see them in the morning.”

Heynckes was reappointed as coach after Carlo Ancelotti left the post earlier in the season.

It was announced on the eve of the match that the club’s former midfielder, and current Eintracht Frankfurt boss, Niko Kovac will replace the 72-year-old in the summer and Heynckes offered a ringing endorsement.

“Niko Kovac is a great choice, he does a great job,” he added.

“It is a great opportunity for him as many international coaches would lick their lips at the prospect of this job.”

Bayern turned things around in style as Wagner converted from close-range to score for a fourth league game in succession.

The champions were ahead before the interval as Wagner completed a four-minute brace, Yann Sommer unable to save a tame header from 10 yards out.

James was introduced at the start of the second-half and played his part in Thiago’s goal.

The Real Madrid loanee started the move which saw Wagner denied his hat-trick as Sommer made a smart stop, only for the rebound to be tucked home by the onrushing Thiago.

James came close to getting on the scoresheet himself but saw his effort hit the crossbar before Alaba thrashed home a fantastic goal from the edge of the box.

Lewandowksi came off the bench to get on the scoresheet himself, his 27th Bundesliga goal of the season, to leave Monchengladbach boss Dieter Hecking fuming.

“Today I’m mad at my team,” he said.

“What happened after 3-1 is unacceptable, we defended very badly after that, let Bayern play their own way.

“The first half hour was okay, but that was not enough today. You’re allowed to lose in Munich, but we have to talk about the second half.”

The defeat leaves Monchengladbach six points adrift of the final Europa League place and, with seven losses in their last 12 matches, they face a battle to turn that gap around in the closing weeks of the campaign.